General Real Estate Appraiser

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) seeks a General Real Estate Appraiser to perform detailed appraisals for statewide transportation projects, ensuring accurate and defensible property valuations to support right‑of‑way acquisitions.

You will develop certified appraisals, prepare reports in accordance with USPAP and agency standards, conduct neighborhood analyses, prepare valuation forms, document claimant contacts, provide testimony, and participate in trainings as required.

Qualifications

• Active Pennsylvania Certified General Real Estate Appraiser certification is required.
• Active motor vehicle license is required.
• PA residency requirement must be met.

Responsibilities

• Develop certified appraisals and estimate damages for a wide range of property types.
• Complete appraisal reports and problem analyses following USPAP and agency standards.
• Prepare valuation forms for property disposition using established approaches to value.
• Conduct neighborhood analysis, land sale reviews, and zoning assessments for waiver valuation.
• Recognize property issues, document claimant contacts, and follow required procedures.
• Provide testimony, attend meetings, and complete trainings relevant to appraisal work.

Skills

Appraisal expertise

Analytical skills

Deadline-driven

Review property information

Testimony

Education

Pennsylvania Certified General Real Estate Appraiser certification

Tools

USPAP knowledge

Job description

Are you searching for a career where you can apply your appraisal expertise to projects that help improve transportation across Pennsylvania? As a General Real Estate Appraiser with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), you will have the exciting opportunity to complete detailed appraisals that support public projects. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy analytical work, meeting deadlines, and reviewing property information. You will work with staff across the Commonwealth to support right-of-way acquisition needs. Take pride in knowing that your work will help ensure that PennDOT projects move forward with accurate and reliable property valuations!

This role provides technical real estate appraisals for properties statewide to support right-of-way acquisition for transportation projects. As a General Real Estate Appraiser, you will perform the following duties:

• Property Appraisal:Develop certified appraisals and estimate damages for a wide range of property types
• Report Preparation:Complete appraisal reports and problem analyses following Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and agency standards
• Value Determination:Prepare valuation forms for property disposition using established approaches to value
• Site Evaluation:Conduct neighborhood analysis, land sale reviews, and zoning assessments for waiver valuation
• Issue Identification:Recognize property issues, document claimant contacts, and follow required procedures
• Professional Participation:Provide testimony, attend meetings, and complete trainings relevant to appraisal work

Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• This position may be headquartered in the district or county office closest to the selected candidate’s home, based on available office space.
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the district or county office closest to your home, subject to available office space. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Special Requirements

• All positions require possession of an active Pennsylvania Certified General Real Estate Appraiser certification.
• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.